Cameron McKenna partner Fiona Woolf’s assertion that other top City law firms ‘get around’ Law Society conduct rules that prohibit the payment of referral fees has certainly caused a stir in the Square Mile this week.

While it is no secret that high street conveyancing firms often pay estate agents for clients to be pushed their way, her comments have shocked many Law Society council members who were unaware that the City’s premium law firms were also getting in on the act.